9700_y16_sy

Cambridge International AS and A Level Biology 9700 syllabus Practical assessment
4.2.3 Administration of Paper 3
Detailed regulations on the administration of Cambridge practical examinations are contained in the
Cambridge Handbook.
Details of specific requirements for apparatus and materials for a particular examination are given in the
Confidential Instructions which are sent to Centres, several weeks prior to the examination. Centres should
contact Cambridge if they believe the Confidential Instructions have not been received.
Access to the question paper itself is not permitted in advance of the examination.
It is essential that absolute confidentiality be maintained in advance of the examination date: the contents of
the Confidential Instructions must not be revealed either directly or indirectly to candidates.
The Confidential Instructions describe information required by the Examiners. This will include a set of
results for the experiments, which the Supervisor should obtain out of sight of the candidates. A Supervisor’s
Report Form is included in the Confidential Instructions. Centres must complete this form and enclose a
copy in each envelope of scripts. If any assistance is given to candidates, the Supervisor’s Report Form
must include full details of this assistance. The marking process may be delayed and candidates may
be disadvantaged if the Supervisor’s Report Form or sample results are missing or do not contain the
information required.
If there is any doubt about the interpretation of the Confidential Instructions document or the suitability of
the apparatus available, enquiries should be sent to the Product Manager for Biology at Cambridge, using
either email (info@cie.org.uk) or fax (+44 1223 553558) or telephone (+44 1223 553554).
4.2.4 Apparatus that is used regularly for Paper 3
The apparatus required for Paper 3 will vary from paper to paper. The Confidential Instructions will include a
complete list of apparatus and materials required for each question. Centres should follow the Confidential
Instructions very carefully. To give some variety in the questions set, the examiners may require unusual
items or equipment.
Microscopes provided for candidates’ use in Paper 3 must be fitted with:
• Eyepiece lens, ×10 (equal to 16 mm or 2 3
”)
• Low-power objective lens, ×10 (equal to 16 mm or 2 3
”)
• High-power objective lens, ×40 (equal to 4 mm or 1 6
”)
• Eyepiece graticule fitted within the eyepiece and visible in focus at the same time as the specimen.
To avoid confusion, Cambridge request that only the lenses specified above are fitted in the microscopes to
be used in the examination. Any lenses which are not ×10 or ×40 should be removed or replaced.
For the examination, Centres should provide eyepiece graticules as standard. However, Cambridge will
supply stage micrometer scales for the examination as needed. Candidates will be allowed to use the
microscope for a maximum of one hour.
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